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Veterans Day Message from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

National Guard Bureau

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 1998  At the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed Armistice Day to honor the memory of all who served in the "war to end all wars." Now we celebrate this holiday as Veterans Day, an opportunity to honor those who have worn the uniform in defense of our country. This year, in every small town and every big city across this broad land, America will pause to thank those who served. Our Nation is powerful, prosperous and at peace -- due in no small part because when America called, America's sons and daughters answered.

Today, that legacy of duty and love of country has been handed down to the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who guard our freedom at home and abroad. Whether in the skies over Bosnia, in the waters of the Persian Gulf, in the deserts of the Sinai and the mountains of Macedonia, or elsewhere, they stand tall in defense of freedom, doing the hard and dangerous work that must be done to bring peace and stability to a troubled world.

On behalf of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the men and women of our Armed Forces, I am proud to salute our veterans on this special day. May their example of service and sacrifice continue to inspire us all, and may we always treasure the gift of freedom they fought and, in some cases, died to preserve.